In Deuteronomy 31:23, we see God commissioning Joshua and urging him to be strong and courageous to fulfill the task of leading the people into the promised land. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, there are some details on his commissioning. Prior to his commissioning in Deuteronomy 31:19-21, God instructed Moses to write a song.
The song was to be God’s continual warning to the people of Israel concerning their impending waywardness. His warning acted as a witness to the certainty of what would happen to them. In verses 20-21 God gave the reasons why He wanted Moses to write a song. Notice Moses was not only to personally write it but also to teach it. This song was an anticipation of what would happen in the future. The all-knowing, all-seeing God knew from the onset that despite all His blessings, the children of Israel would still turn from Him at some point. He knew the propensity of human hearts. He was sure that having been blessed and enjoyed His bountiful provisions, they would still spurn Him, break the covenant, and pursue other gods. He could see that there would be a time when His people would have utter disregard for Him and the divine judgment that their waywardness would invite. The song would then be a witness against them.
The appropriate question to ask is why a song? What are its values? A song has great teaching values. It will be easier to remember and recall, and will more certainly stick to the minds. When words are put into rhythm and music, they have a way of touching the emotion. Reflection on the words in a song has an immense influence on one’s thinking and guides one toward appropriate action. This could be the reason why the church down the ages for the longest time has been singing hymns. Singing is one way where lessons of the Bible are being taught. Whether we know it or not, we tend to remember lessons better when they are put into songs.
Singing was Paul’s admonition to the
early Christians. He knew it would enhance their walk with God. So in
Colossians 3:15, he says, “Let the
word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching
and admonishing one another with psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
And again in Ephesians 5:18-20, he says, “…do not get drunk with
wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking
to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the
Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God, even the Father.…” Obviously, Paul knew the values of
the singing of the Word of God. It would do us well to sing unto the Lord and
be enhanced with our walk with Him. Singing praises is the way to victory!
No comments:
Post a Comment